Underwire bra

Abstract

An improvement in underwire bra construction wherein the ends of the U-shaped underwire are secured to complementary fastening members affixed to the material of the bra cup and wherein such U-shaped underwire is free to swing up or down relative to said complementary fastening members.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by LETTERS PATENT of the United States is as follows: 
     
       1. A new and improved underwear bra which comprises: a bra having a pair of fabric breast cups; each of said fabric breast cups having a bottom base portion and an upper edge portion; first and second U-shaped underwires extending around the base portion of each said breast cup and being enclosed in the fabric of said bra; each of said first and second underwires having first and second opposed ends; first, second, third and fourth fastening members proximal to the the upper edge portions of each of said breast cups, respectively, and fastened to the fabric thereof to receive and secure the first and second opposed ends of each of said U-shaped underwires therein, respectively; and first, second, third and fourth pivotal coupling members attached to the opposed ends of said underwires, respectively, for permitting the opposed ends of said underwire to be affixed to said first, second third and fourth fastening members, respectively, and for permitting each opposed end of said first and second underwires, respectively, to pivot relative to the other end thereof and to the other ends of the other underwire. 
     
     
       2. A bra as in claim 1 wherein said U-shaped underwire is composed of a main segment and two end segments pivotally connected thereto. 
     
     
       3. A construction as in claim 1 wherein each said fastening member has mounted thereon a pair of extending flanges adapted to receive therebetween a corresponding opposed end of said U-shaped underwire to engage between said pair of flanges; and a pivot pin extending through said flanges and said opposed end to pivotally secure said end to said flanges. 
     
     
       4. A construction as in claim 1 wherein each said fastening member has an open bottom slot therein; each of said first and second underwire opposed ends has a groove thereon adjacent the corresponding opposed end thereof engaged within said slot with the corresponding opposed end of each said underwire being sufficiently large in diameter as to not pass through said slot, and wherein each of said opposed ends of said first and second underwires further includes a pivotal connection therein, respectively, to permit a main segment of each U-shaped underwire to pivot relative to the opposed ends thereof proximal to said corresponding fastener member. 
     
     
       5. A construction as in claim 1 wherein each said fastening member has a socket on the surface thereof; and each of said first and second underwire opposed ends has a ball on the corresponding end thereof adapted to fit within said socket. 
     
     
       6. A construction as in claim 1 wherein each said fastening member has a plurality of ball-receiving recesses on the surface thereof; and each of said first and second underwire opposed ends has a ball-shaped member on the corresponding end thereof adapted to engage within any of said plurality of ball-receiving recesses. 
     
     
       7. A construction as in claim 1 wherein each said first and second U-shaped underwire is formed of two minor opposed end segments and a major U-shaped central segment therebetween; and further includes means for pivotally connecting each said minor end segment to said central major segment.